Kuannersuit; Kvanefjeld

Kuannersuit; Kvanefjeld is a video documentary, which examines the divisive issue of uranium mining in Greenland; the difficult decisions and trade-offs faced by an indigenous culture seeking to escape a colonial past to define its own identity in a globalised world. It explores the conflicting issues of progress, inclusive and informed decision-making and the vast unknown consequences of siting a uranium mine right next to a town in Greenland’s only agricultural region. The Kvanefjeld mountain is one of the largest deposits of uranium and rare earth minerals in the world, sited in a UNESCO protected landscape, surrounded by spectacular ice fjords and sheep grazing country. Yet for many Greenlanders the exploitation of Greenland’s uranium and mineral reserves is the only route to an independent, de-colonised future. The Kvanefjeld mine has come to symbolize a pivotal moment for Greenland, where short term foreign mining investments could radically impact on the economic, social and cultural fabric and identity of Greenlanders and jeopardize the dream of a long-term sustainable future. Kuannersuit; Kvanefjeld was commissioned by Ele Carpenter and Arts Catalyst for Nuclear Culture, exploring how contemporary art could inform a wider international debate on nuclear issues. The work was a collaboration with Joshua Portway, and was originally exhibited at “Perpetual Uncertainty - Contemporary Art in the Nuclear Anthropocene”, Bildmuseet, Sweden and subsequently presented, exhibited and screened worldwide in museums, film festivals and conferences, including nuclear safety and nuclear colonialism conferences, and toured Navajo indian environmental disaster sites with the International Uranium Film Festival. The film was acquired by Greenland National Library and Narsaq Museum near Kvanefjeld. Awarded/ funded by Keck Futures (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (US)), British Council - Arts Council International Artist Development Grant, Danish Arts Council and Sheffield Hallam University.